MOUNTAIN BIKE FEASIBILITY STUDY ENGAGEMENT REPORT Prepared by Otium Planning Group Pty Ltd FEBRUARY 2020 [in conjunction with World Trail] OTIUM PLANNING GROUP PTY LTD Head Office: Level 6 60 Albert Road South Melbourne VIC 3205 Phone: (03) 9698 7300 Email: [email protected] Web: www.otiumplanning.com.au ABN: 30 605 962 169 ACN: 605 962 169 Local Office Address: Contact: Phone: Email: Otium Planning Group has offices in: • Auckland • Brisbane • Cairns • Christchurch • Melbourne • Perth • Sydney OPG, IVG and PTA Partnership has offices in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Shanghai and Beijing Document Version Date Checked Distribution Recipient Version 1 22/10/19 CB CB Council Version 2 © 2019 Otium Planning Group Pty. Ltd. This document may only be used for the purposes for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the terms of engagement for the commission. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction 4 2. Community Survey 5 2.1 Mountain Bike Riders Information 5 2.2 Non-Riders 10 2.3 All Respondents – Views and Attitudes Towards Mountain Biking 11 2.4 Survey Demographics 31 3. Key Stakeholder Meetings 37 3.1 Mountain Bike Industry 37 3.2 Environmental Conservation Group 37 3.3 Forestry Corporation 38 3.4 National Parks & Wildlife 38 3.5 Department of Premier and Cabinet 39 3.6 Traditional Custodians of the land 39 4. Written Submissions 40 4.1 Mountain Biking Interest Groups 40 4.2 Environmental Conservation Interest Groups 40 4.3 General Feedback 41 5. Warranties and Disclaimers 42 Central Coast Council Mountain Biking Feasibility Study – Engagement Report Version 2 as at February 2020 Page 3 1. Introduction This report outlines the community engagement undertaken to develop the mountain bike feasibility study draft discussion paper. To prepare the discussion paper a range of community engagement activities were undertaken. This included the following: Community Survey Engagement with the Mountain Bike industry and key stakeholders Engagement with Environmental Conservation Groups Stakeholder Consultation including: o Forestry Corporation o National Parks and Wildlife o Department of Premier and Cabinet o Traditional Custodians of the land Central Coast Council Mountain Biking Feasibility Study – Engagement Report Version 2 as at February 2020 Page 4 2. Community Survey A survey was developed to seek the community’s feedback on mountain biking on the Central Coast. The aim of the survey was to understand community views, participation and demand, current riding locations and the opportunities and risks for mountain bike riding on the central coast. A total of 1949 responses were received to the survey. Out of these 1590 (81.58%) currently participated in mountain biking within the Central Coast. A series of questions were asked of both riders and non-riders to gather more information. An overview of the responses is outlined below. 2.1 Mountain Bike Riders Information Riding Characteristics Over 50% of the current mountain bikers would rate their ability as intermediate with only 8% indicating they are a beginner. Approximately 60% of respondents were also riding two or more times a week with the most popular times being Saturday and Sunday morning followed by Friday afternoons. Table 1: Survey Result – How would you rate your ability? How would you rate your ability? Beginner 8.03% Intermediate 53.11% Advanced 38.86% Table 2: Survey Result – How often do you go mountain biking? How often do you go mountain biking? Three or more times a week 27.91% Twice a week 32.28% Once a week 20.51% Once a fortnight 8.87% Once a month 9.39% Once a year 1.03% Table 3: Survey Result – What day and time do you normally go mountain biking? What day and time do you normally go mountain biking? Morning Lunch time Afternoon Night Monday 47.94% 21.01% 56.61% 15.98% Tuesday 45.17% 19.31% 59.85% 17.37% Wednesday 39.00% 19.76% 59.62% 20.79% Thursday 37.55% 20.33% 56.96% 26.01% Friday 44.56% 19.56% 62.07% 15.82% Saturday 77.05% 35.70% 46.85% 5.90% Sunday 76.04% 37.20% 48.57% 5.40% Central Coast Council Mountain Biking Feasibility Study – Engagement Report Version 2 as at February 2020 Page 5 Over 90% of respondents are spending between 1-4 hours mountain biking and generally riding with friends. The responses indicate that just over half ride between 1-2 hours which would indicate a high degree of recreational riding on locally accessible trails. Riders are more likely to travel to a destination if there is more than 2 hours’ worth of riding. This is supported with the proportion of rides on weekday mornings and afternoons, indicating shorter duration recreational riding at local destinations. Table 4: Survey Result - Length of time mountain biking How long do you usually undertake the activity for? Less than 1 hour 1.42% 1-2 hours 51.26% 2-4 hours 42.67% 4-6 hours 4.20% More than 6 hours 0.45% Table 5: Survey Result – Who do you ride with? When you go riding, who do you ride with? Alone 20.80% With friends 61.17% With family 11.27% With a club 1.22% With an organized group (but not part of a club) 5.54% Significantly only 25% of respondents were members of a mountain bike club. This means that self-directed, recreational riding is a dominant motivation and that competition is not a significant driver of participation. Table 6: Survey Result – Are you a member of a mountain bike club? Are you a member of a Mountain Bike club? No 75.24% Yes 24.76% Trail Preferences Trail riding (76.84%) was the type of trail most ridden followed by cross country (67.16%), however this could reflect the availability of trails as opposed to the preference of riders. When asked their preferred trail to ride, a much greater proportion indicated a desire to ride flow trails (47.10%), which supports the assumption this is an unmet need and that there is lack of diversity in the current trail network. Central Coast Council Mountain Biking Feasibility Study – Engagement Report Version 2 as at February 2020 Page 6 Table 7: Survey Result – What type of trails do you ride? What type of trails do you ride on the Central Coast Trail Riding 76.84% Descent / Gravity 51.94% Cross Country 67.16% Flow Trail 58.32% Fire Trails Only 17.55% Other 4.19% Table 8: Survey Result – Preferred trail What is your most preferred trail to ride? Trail Riding 44.71% Descent / Gravity 40.06% Cross Country 39.42% Flow Trail 47.10% Fire Trails Only 7.16% Other 2.58% Riding Locations The most popular location for mountain biking on the Central Coast was Ourimbah Mountain Bike Park (40%), followed by Kincumba Mountain Reserve (22%). Approximately 12% of respondents listed multiple locations across the Central Coast. Figure 1: Survey Result – Location Most Often Ridden Riding Locations No Response Awaba 10% Bouddi National Park 2% 3% Brisbane Water National Park 4% Other Ourimbah 7% 40% Various (multiple locations listed) Kincumba 12% 22% Ourimbah Kincumba Various (multiple locations listed) Other Brisbane Water National Park Bouddi National Park Awaba No Response Central Coast Council Mountain Biking Feasibility Study – Engagement Report Version 2 as at February 2020 Page 7 When asked to explain location preference, the main reason for Ourimbah was the trail network / trail diversity and options (66%). The location / access and proximity scored next highest with 19%. However, at Kincumba 54% of respondents identified that the main reason for this location preference was the location / ease of access and proximity. The trail network / trail diversity scored next highest at 28%. Figure 2: Survey Result – Why do you ride Ourimbah State Forest Ourimbah State Forest No response / other Location / Access / 12% Proximity Scenery 19% 3% Trail / Network 66% Location / Access / Proximity Trail / Network Scenery No response / other Figure 3: Survey Result - Why do you ride Kincumba? Kincumba Mountain Other / No response 12% The views / surroundings 6% Access / Trail Proximity Network 54% 28% Access / Proximity Trail Network The views / surroundings Other / No response Central Coast Council Mountain Biking Feasibility Study – Engagement Report Version 2 as at February 2020 Page 8 Essential Facilities and Priorities for Preferred Locations Trail signage (80.10%), car parking 67.65%) and water (61.18%) were considered the essential facilities that should be provided at mountain biking locations, followed closely by toilets (56.75%) and site information (55.84%). Respondents were also asked what facilities are required at their preferred location with 45% of respondents indicating toilets and water were the highest priorities at Ourimbah. At Kincumba, trail improvements/sanctioned trails were the highest priority (39%). Table 9: Survey Result – Essential Facilities Required What do you think are the essential facilities that should be provided at mountain biking locations? Car parking 67.65% Public Transport 4.57% Trail Signage 80.10% Toilets 56.75% Seating 9.28% Water 61.18% Site Information 55.84% Fencing to protect 35.65% Other 9.14% Travel Time and Use of Multiple Locations Over 65% of respondents are travelling 30 minutes or less to their most frequently used mountain bike location. This aligns with proximity being a key factor in the location chosen for a majority of respondents. Approximately 65% of respondents also ride in other locations. Table 10: Survey Result – Travel Time How long does it take to travel to this location? Less than 15 minutes 30.28% 15-30 minutes 35.07% 30 minutes – 1 hour 20.21% 1-2 hour 12.29% More than 2 hours 2.15% Table 11: Survey Result – Other locations for mountain biking Is there another location on the Central Coast you frequently use for mountain biking? No 35.11% Yes 64.89% Central Coast Council Mountain Biking Feasibility Study – Engagement Report Version 2 as at February 2020 Page 9 Unauthorised Trails and Other Outdoor Recreation Over 70% of respondents are aware that unauthorised mountain bike trails have been constructed and the majority of respondents attributed this to a lack of authorised trails.